Finepics

Sorry Joe, mis read slightly. Come on Archie - where is your new figure!!

I cannot see what the big deal is about paying $30-$40 or so for this. It's the same price as a cheap Bob strap and will last the life of the watch - what's the problem apart from the 8 week lead time for my people.

Just had the reply from the UK company. Prices are the same as is the lead time. "Mark This is almost the same as we quoted before. We can change the parameters a small amount without any change in our quote at this stage. Here is a quote to the latest specification: Item No 26-9556 Plano-convex Lens Material Sapphire Focal Length 8.0mm ROC 6.2mm +/-2% Diameter 6.0 +0/-0.1 mm Centre Thickness 1.17 +0/-0.1 mm Uncoated Prices excl VAT Qty50-£15 each Qty100-£11 each Delivery 8 weeks Packing and shipping £7.50 Terms Cash or Credit Card prior to shipment."

Go to Panerai's website and browse the photos of the new in house movt (all flash animated menus) you will see peerlage being done on the baseplate for the movt.

Kruzer you could always use a Cambo 5X4 with a schneider lens etc. I use this for architectural work.

I'm only guessing but I would have thought the markers are located with lugs and drillings and fixed from the inside of the bezel. Anyone who has had their markers come off the Arktos (I know one person has) - do they have locating pins on the underside of them even though they are just glued on?

Well I will be adding a PVD Pre A 005, a PVD (getting it done properly) 028 with a 2893, 199 hobnail Sub, Arktos (maybe a modding project) and something else I hope soon!!!

The numbers will also differ in size with different movts. I have got a beautiful photo of the new in house Panerai movt all stripped down and the parts laid out (this is in the new fantastic Panerai catalogue which is a huge book of black and white photos some of which show the case and CG in various stages of manufacture) and the datewheel has massive numbers on it. They are certainly a different version of the Swiss 721 font as the date wheel is wider than a 2893. It is the width of the wheel that dictates the date window size.

I still vote for sapphire as I am sure that is what the gens would use. As standard engineering principles are used in Manufacture of the gens then the use of like materials would surely be the choice. I will call my guy on Monday and tell him of our problems to see what he suggests.

It already is.

So true!!

Hi Ken - Nice to see you here!!! This is always a good way to bump the post numbers!

Don't think it's actually out yet. I used to have a Leica M2 (made in 1962) with a 35mm, 50mm and 105mm lenses that I was regtularly using until a few years ago. Beautiful camera and the lenses were unbelievably sharp. There is something very magical about them. My kit now is a Fuji S3 Pro, 10-20mm, 24-60 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 and 105 macro plus flash, tripod and a wealth of accessories!! Pro kit is like reps - toys for the boys so to speak.

I think that a camera that only takes Leica lenses is a bit of overkill for a beginner - this is a serious tool.

Kruzer - the Nikon D70s kit is something of a bargain as well especially in the US. It is a very good camera and would definitely be my choice of the two. It is much better made than the 350 cannon (which looks really plasticky and cheap) although you will not see any difference in picture quality. More pixels do not a better picture make - they only allow you to blow-up to a larger print size.

Kruzer - it does not really matter which camera you use. All the digital SLR's are good - what count is the lens. The Nikon "D70s kit" comes with a much better lens (18-70mm) than the Cannon at this price, and then take a look at Sigma's range of lenses. If you want a good general all rounder they make a 28-300mm with macro facility that would do all (they do this for the Cannon as well) Personally I stick with Nikon as their flash systems are much more advanced but then I already have pro level Nikon kit.

I wouldnt be suprised if TKK was Gran with a new name. I had PM'd him to ask why he impersonated Niel and this was his reply: "i am replicating the persona of neil because he deserves it so well jf"

Welcome again!!

Thanks Euno - I sort of guessed they were relatives. He looks tall in that picture. I bet the cats look different now.

Euno - I am curious about the photos in your sig. You've probably already answered this but who are they of? I guess they would be from the 1920s or so?

Also the lens needs to have a fairly shallow Radius of Curve to avoid circular distortion of the numbers. I now think that the rep cyclops is probably the right design just slightly bigger in the gen with altered dimensions and sapphire. Another thing is the rep cyclops is only mineral glass, no popping off with them so the CofE might not matter now. I wonder if we should just copy the rep cyclops in either sapphire or flint. We can slightly increase the radius of curve to give a bigger mag as we have a little room to do that (the rep cyclops is 1mm with an ET of .50mm) and leave the rest the same. The increase in dia will effectivley increase the size of the radius of curve which might be all we need. Also we might be able to get much more accurate tolerances on this as there is no knife edge to maintain.

Guys, I'm wondering if we have our calculations right. Look at this photo. This is my 063 crystal with original cyclops on left (obviously). New Anchor cyclops on Right. I know the anchor cyclops is miles too thick but it's just to illlustrate my concern. Now look at this photo and see the problem - it's [censored]!! If we dont have some sort of ET we will end up with this look as the light is refracted from the edges to form this halo reflection. We might need to concentrate more on Radius of curves etc. I wonder if original PAMs are like the rep version. The companies that make these crystals must do them similar to the gens as this is their business and I would have thought use standard techniques even if different dimensions. Comments please.

All these familiar faces - just like before, very reassuring.

Davidsen asked me for my technical advice on these and initially I was sceptical but in practice they do not look at all bad - certainly an easy fix if you don't want to pay one of us repairers to change the pinion.

Ultimately this will be Grans loss. It's bad that a founder member turns like this - but hey, what can you do but move on. It's all in the past anyway so no point wasting energy on being upset. I do feel sorry for those here that have been let down personally - that's a shame. This new place is certainly rocking already - love it.